Gary Lucas & Jann Klose

STEREOPTICON (Cosmic Trigger Records/The Orchard), by guitarist Gary Lucas and singer Jann Klose, features 10 songs they’ve collaborated on the past three years. The album was recorded in New York City’s premiere analog studio The Maid’s Room in September 2014 and June 2015.

STEREOPTICON is now available on Amazon at www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018ZPIXGE and at itunes.apple.com/us/album/stereopticon/id1065240432.

Jann says “A Stereopticon is a classic slide projector that combines two images to create a three-dimensional effect. The title fit since there are the two of us and the album was recorded live on two-inch tape, the classic analog recording technique.”

Gary explains how the two create their new songs, “There is a lot you can do with just voice and guitar; we took influences from all over the Americana spectrum, and added a few odd surprises.”

“Secret Wings” was one of their first collaborations. Jann says, “it’s about the City beating you down and making it through the noise and craziness, especially in New York City!” Created by DeAngela Napier, “Secret Wings” is the duo’s new music video and available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvNeh8ozt_I. “Secret Wings” features scenes of the City with motion from skateboarders, pigeons, cabs and bike riders, trains, runners, dragon dancers, commuters and shoppers, fine art, street art, musicians, including a scene of Jann and Gary playing in the Rockwood Music Hall.

The jazzy “Fair Weather” is about two-faced people, while the Canned Heat-influenced “Walking And Talking” and the dramatic “Take Your Medicine” fit perfectly on blues radio.

Some songs “Nobody’s Talking” (about cellphone users who text in the company of friends) and a few with double-entendres: the sea shanty “Jewel Julia” and acoustic blues song “Let No One Come Between Us” were co-written with Dan Beck (who has collaborated with Dion DiMucci, the Iron City Houserockers, and the Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere). Dan also contributed to the Renaissance-esque “Overture,” and the pop-influenced “Well of Loneliness.”

Dan co-wrote “Mary Magdalene,” which has found support from a variety of New York City-area stations as the song supports the people in Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and New Jersey still struggling to get their lives back to normal since Oct. 29, 2012’s Superstorm Sandy. (Gary and Jann encourage their fans to donate to the Island Park Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O Box 500, Island Park, NY 11558 or online at 2ndbattalion.org/departments/island-park.)

STEREOPTICON is produced by Jann, Gary, and Dan, who call themselves “Dr. Tre.” The album was engineered by Jack McKeever (Joan As Police Woman, Anna & Kate McGarrigle) and Jason Candler (Queen Esther), who also plays soprano sax on “Nobody’s Talking” and tenor sax on “Well of Loneliness.”STEREOPTICON was mastered by Ben Kesler (Robert Randolph and the Family Band).   

While Jann and Gary write as collaborators in the Roots Music Genre, both artists are eclectic musicians that tour throughout the world on their own.  

Gary’s co-written hits with artists Joan Osborne: “Spider Web,” and Jeff Buckley’s signature songs “Grace” and “Mojo Pin” from the singer’s double platinum album, GRACE. The song “Grace” is now on the charts again with Jeff’s YOU AND I. ROLLING STONE says Gary is “One of the best and most original guitarists in America…a modern guitar miracle.” He just received the Premio Ciampi Lifetime Achievement Award in Italy, named for one of Italy’s most famous songwriters. In 2014, Gary received the Ambassador’s Award for Cultural Diplomacy from the U.S. Consul General in Milan Ambassador Philip T. Reeker. His long-awaited GARY LUCAS’ FLEISCHEREI: MUSIC FROM MAX FLEISCHER CARTOONS is available on Cuneiform. Music Video Distributors is handling his world space collaboration PEARLY CLOUDS. He is currently collaborating with Steve Kilbey (The Church), and Chris Shinn (new lead singer of Live), and was (this fall) Music Director of “State of Grace,” a multi-artist Australian tour that paid tribute to Tim and Jeff Buckley.

Born in Germany and raised in Kenya, South Africa and the United States, Jann Klose is currently collaborating with Ann Hampton Callaway, Renaissance’s Annie Haslam, Hall & Oates’ John Oates and The Yardbirds’ Jim McCarty. Jann and his music appeared in the new he award-winning Australian feature documentary A VENUE FOR THE END OF THE WORLD (BrinkVision, USA) and short film THE BEAUTY OF DISASTER (Glimmer Girl, USA). His most recent album, MOSAIC won three 2014 Independent Music Awards and charted for several months on the AMA and Roots Rock charts.

Gary and Jann both worked on the movie GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY (Tribeca Film/Focus/Universal). Jann is the singing voice of Tim Buckley, while Gary consulted and played guitar. Tony Award winner Frank Wood plays Gary in the film. 

REVIEWS
“There is a peculiar potent chemistry at work here… Stylistically STEREOPTICON marries a roots blues approach with echoes of acoustic Zeppelin and flashes of refined pop songwriting craft.”
– Mike Barnes, Mojo Magazine

The two combine their ample talents on STEREOPTICON, melding Lucas’ masterful acoustic guitar work with Klose’s powerful musical-theater-honed vocals.”
– Matt Inman, Relix

“From the traditions of fine duos such as Lowen & Navarro, Vigrass & Osborne, Brewer & Shipley and other wonderful songwriting / singing partnerships another exciting collaboration rises on the horizon with the impeccable Gary Lucas and Jann Klose. Their harmonies, vocal interaction and clear, precise guitars provide a listener with some enchanting listening.”
– John Apice, No Depression

“Each of them unique in his own special way, a collaboration between Gary Lucas and Jann Klose seemed inevitable… And now the two voices – one coming from guitar, and the other from vocal pipes – finally sound together on an ultimate joint venture: an album titled STEREOPTICON.”
– Dmitry Epstein, Let It Rock

“It’s not an album to catch the mainstream ear, but those who appreciate dazzling guitar playing and a strong, versatile and vibrant vocal in the service of urban Americana will find much to savour.” -Mike Davies, FolkRadio UK

“…instantly we realize what a stellar guitar player Lucas is and what a top-notch singer Klose is… Here the pair come off sounding outstanding. …Lucas and Klose infuse these acoustic ditties with well-seasoned feel, expert songwriting and spectacular playing and singing. STEREOPTICON is simply a high-class collection from two masters at the game combining their talents seamlessly.” – Short And Sweet “It’s got a Led Zeppelin III vibe…”
– Shawn West, GuitCast

“Gary Lucas & Jann Klose’s ‘Nobody’s Talking’ is delivered with the right level of playfulness and joy. With a careful yet surprisingly colorful arrangement the song revels in the happiness that can define a life….Tasteful and elegant to its very core, Gary Lucas & Jann Klose create a timeless piece of chamber pop on the lovely ‘Nobody’s Talking”.
—Beach Sloth

“A treasure trove of musical influences, including jazz, blues and folk, permeate throughout and the end result is a cohesive, thought-provoking record.

Rating: Bad-Ass”
-Jane Roser, ThatMusicMag

www.LucasKlose.com 


The Video FAIR WEATHER, Created by DeAngela Napier

www.GaryLucas.com 

www.facebook.com/gary.lucas.5836?fref=ts

twitter.com/lucasgary
www.youtube.com/garylucas 


www.JannKlose.com
www.facebook.com/jannklose 

twitter.com/JannKloseBand

www.youtube.com/jannklose 


Contacts: Anne Leighton, 718-881-8183 
Anne@AnneLeighton.com
Dan Beck, Dan@bighonchomedia.com